The grown-up guide to dressing for the Notting Hill Carnival

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Roughly 40 static sound systems, 70 stages and ten steel pan bands will take over Notting Hill this Bank Holiday, as the carnival spirit spreads through West London. Calypso, soca and masquerade performers, who have been working with Trinidadian designers on their costumes since last August, will dance their way around the parade in original, colourful costumes. There will be feathers, beads, tassels, streamers and face paint, but what on earth does one wear to watch it? Here’s how to nod to the carnival spirit, while remembering you are not in Rio, but in London.

Choose one trophy piece

The costume troupes known as Mas bands (‘mas’ meaning masquerade) might embrace the most zany palettes and patterns, but as a guest you’re not required to go as all out. Instead, pick one punchy piece to base the rest of your outfit around. This could be a cheerful skirt, blouse or simply your favourite printed dress you haven’t worn enough times this summer.

Introduce colour through accessories

If your wardrobe is not the ‘loud and proud’ kind, fret not. You can spruce up even the most basic ensembles with some choice accessories. A colour pop crossbody bag, cat eye sunglasses or some tasselled earrings will instantly lift your look.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match accessories either. Huge hoop earrings will look great with a pompom-embellished bag, bumper sunnies and a vibrant lipstick, providing the rest of your outfit errs on the neutral side of things.

Be sensible about footwear

Carnival crowds are not the place for flimsy sandals. High-top Converse are a safe and stylish bet, but any plimsoll will do. If it’s a scorching day and you can’t bear the sneaker sweats, then pick a substantial sandal, like Birkenstocks to avoid sore feet.

Alexa Chung in white high-top VansCredit:
Rex

Make sure your crossbody bag is large enough to fit the following ‘carnival survival kit’ in

Crossbody bags are a total no brainer to leave your hands free for dancing, beverage holding and pulling your friends through the crowds. Backpacks are also a viable option, but only take styles that have secure inner pockets to keep your valuables well hidden.

Milan street styleCredit:
Sean Cunningham

Stock your bag with a series of essentials

Tissues (2 million attendees = not a scrap of loo roll left in any pub, cafe or portaloo)

Hand sanitiser (for the aforementioned portaloo situation)

Actual cash (Carnival has as many visitors as 11 Glastonbury festivals, so don’t expect there to be any money left in the cash machines)

A killer lipstick (If you haven’t embraced the dress code, a punchy lip hue will be your saviour)

Dry shampoo/wet wipes/hair spray/perfume - whatever you personally need for a quick spruce up, as the parties go on well into the evening.

Cheerful backpacks will bring the back of your outfit to lifeCredit:
Sean Cunningham

Consider all weather options

At the time of writing the Bank Holiday weather forecast is looking fairly mild and dry. But, this is Britain, and rain may surprise you on the day. Tie a crew-neck jumper around your waist to ward off the evening chill, and stow an umbrella in your bag. If the clouds look grey you’ll want to upgrade said jumper for a packable mac or lightweight jacket.

And finally...

“I'd hope anyone who is going to such a festival, hopefully, is going for the music, and the occasion, not to judge anyone else," Rockins founder Jess Morris told us of her non-judgmental approach to festival dressing. So, treat carnival with the same gusto as you would Glastonbury, because, trust us, you will never be the most over-dressed there. Just remember your wet wipes if you have a long commute home...